MERSEYTRAVEL has become the first passenger transport executive in the country to achieve the Carbon Trust Standard after reducing its carbon footprint by 7% since 2006.

The Carbon Trust Standard, launched in June, 2008, is the only initiative in the world that requires an organisation to take action by reducing its carbon emissions, year on year.

To achieve the standard, Merseytravel has run projects such as reducing the engine speeds of the Mersey Ferries vessels, harvesting rainwater, and installing a new computerised system to control energy uses across its buildings.

Neil Scales, Chief Executive of Merseytravel said: “With 2009 being Liverpool’s Year of the Environment there is no better time to have achieved this.

“It is great recognition for the work that we’ve done internally and something that we can be proud to tell our customers.”